Author: Anvita Dwivedi

In a judgment that significantly strengthens the security of property transactions and reinforces long-settled principles of property law, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that a registered gift deed, once accepted by the donee, cannot be unilaterally revoked before a Sub-Registrar by executing a deed of cancellation. If a donor seeks to invalidate such a gift, the proper course is to approach a competent civil court. Until a court declares the gift invalid or sets it aside in accordance with law, any unilateral revocation deed executed before the registration authorities is legally ineffective and incapable of extinguishing the rights…

A significant constitutional debate surrounding the ownership, management and control of Hindu temples returned to the Supreme Court this week when the Court heard a writ petition filed by 237 hereditary pujaris and private temple owners challenging the exercise of governmental control over temples allegedly constructed on private land. During the hearing, the Bench made a candid observation that has since attracted considerable public attention. Referring to recurring disputes concerning temple properties, Justice Aravind Kumar remarked that “many pujaris are wasting (squandering) temple properties”, adding that the temple land ultimately vests in the deity rather than in the priest. While…

In a significant interim order with far-reaching implications for criminal procedure, electronic evidence and the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial, the Supreme Court has stayed a Delhi High Court judgment that had permitted Devangana Kalita, an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy case arising out of the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, to inspect electronic material collected by the Delhi Police during investigation but not relied upon by the prosecution. The order, passed by a Bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe, revives an important legal debate that has occupied criminal courts for decades: To what extent is…

In a significant hearing underscoring the constitutional relationship between judicial authority and executive accountability, the Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the Union Government’s continued delay in implementing judicial directions to confer the President’s Gallantry Award upon former Madhya Pradesh police officer Vivek Singh Chouhan, who was recommended for the honour following a successful anti-dacoity operation more than two decades ago. Questioning why the Government was unwilling to comply with the binding judicial mandate while simultaneously pursuing a review petition, the Court observed that compliance with an existing order cannot ordinarily be withheld merely because the Government disagrees with its…

In a significant hearing that places children’s privacy, informed consent and digital governance at the centre of constitutional discourse, the Supreme Court has indicated that it will direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement, across the country, an explicit opt-out option in consent forms for the generation of APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) IDs. Hearing a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of the APAAR scheme on the ground that it effectively compels students to obtain Aadhaar-linked academic identities, the Court recognised the legitimacy of concerns surrounding privacy, consent and data protection while simultaneously observing that…

In a courtroom exchange that has sparked an important constitutional conversation on the federal structure of the Indian judiciary and the proper invocation of the Supreme Court’s extraordinary jurisdiction, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant firmly declined an urgent mentioning seeking protection against the demolition of a building, observing that “Even if it is completely demolished today, I will not allow listing.” Refusing to entertain the matter directly, the Chief Justice reminded counsel that litigants cannot routinely bypass the jurisdictional High Courts merely because urgency is pleaded. Directing the petitioner to approach the concerned High Court, the Bench simultaneously…

In a significant order concerning the scope of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), the Calcutta High Court has declined to grant interim relief to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) by refusing to permit the political party to operate three bank accounts that have been frozen as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. While the Court has not adjudicated upon the legality of the ED’s action on merits, its refusal to stay the freeze reflects a well-established judicial approach that courts ordinarily exercise restraint in interfering with investigative measures at…

In a significant legislative development aimed at strengthening India’s apex judicial institution, the Union Government has introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to formally increase the sanctioned strength of judges of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. Introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Bill seeks to replace the Ordinance promulgated earlier this year which had already enhanced the Court’s sanctioned strength by amending the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposed legislation marks…

In a judgment that may significantly influence the future evolution of India’s insolvency jurisprudence, the Supreme Court has not only reaffirmed one of the foundational principles of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) the “clean slate” doctrine but has simultaneously urged the Law Commission of India and the Legislature to revisit the statutory framework governing repayment to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other small operational creditors. While holding that claims not crystallised before the approval of a resolution plan cannot survive thereafter, the Court expressed concern that the existing insolvency regime disproportionately disadvantages small businesses by placing…

In a significant interim order delivered during a special Sunday sitting, the Calcutta High Court directed the authorities to immediately halt the ongoing demolition of a property at Amtala in South 24 Parganas, from where Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Diamond Harbour parliamentary office functions. Directing all parties to maintain status quo until further orders or the next date of hearing, the Court intervened after allegations were made that the demolition had commenced without compliance with the mandatory statutory procedure or the principles of natural justice. Though the litigation has inevitably attracted political attention because of the premises’ association…